Durham
All in the Timing
Common Ground TheatreWritten by the “master of fun” (New York Times), playwright David Ives’ All in the Timing is a package of six comedic one-acts. Each about 15 minutes long, these windows into the “weirdness of being alive,” as Ives calls them, cover the oft-neglected land of the absurd through wit and satire. The night includes “Sure Thing”arguably Ives’ best-known workabout a tragically blundered attempt at dating that is full of endless second chances. Presented by Ghost & Spice Productions, All in the Timing opens tonight and runs through Jan. 26. For more info, visit www.ghostandspice.com or call 888-239-9253 for tickets. Megan Stein
Carroboro
Black Skies, Howl, St. Jude
The ReservoirPre-show chemicals not prohibited: Providence’s Howl hammers out Wagnerian doom with an obligatory cookie-monster growl and a bottom-heavy groove, while fellow Rhode Island menaces St. Jude ply more crunch and quicker tempos, trading range for fury. Locals Black Skies triangulate a more appealing sound than either without sacrificing the chest-caving rumble or the stoner discursiveness. Forged from the ashes of The Man, frontman Kevin Clark’s washed-out, vocal mumble struggles in a dark alley to light its Lucky as the walls rattle and the guitars smolder. Also, the thundering, welcome upstarts The Curtains of Night. Show starts at 9 p.m. Chris Parker
